Author Nicole MacDonald | Fantasy Blog & Writing Updates

The Book That Took Years to Write—and One Month to Draft

A reflection on the long, quiet thinking that often precedes writing, and how years of mental groundwork can make the drafting process feel fast, clear, and inevitable.

The Dreaded Rewrite: What Revisiting My Trilogy Taught Me

A reflection on revisiting and rewriting a published trilogy, and what distance, discomfort, and honesty taught me about writing craft and creative growth.

Writing Without Permission

Lately I’ve been reading advice about milestones, market research, and whether a book is “worth writing.” It left me with a simple question: why would I write anything that didn’t sing to me in the first place?

Christmas in the Sun: A Kiwi Summer Story

Christmas here isn’t snow and cocoa—it’s sunburn, sunscreen, swimming, BBQs, bush walks, second-hand treasures, and long golden evenings. I’ve written a little love-letter to Kiwi summer (plus a fun Gift Guide for Readers & Writers!).

How to Spot Passive Voice (and Why “By Zombies” Might Save Your Story)

Passive voice can quietly drain the life out of your writing. Learn how to spot it, fix it, and re-energise your story with this simple (and hilarious) “by zombies” trick, plus a real-world lesson from my own trilogy rewrite.

In Defence of the Em Dash—The Unsung Hero of Clarity

They say too much of a good thing ruins the meal—and that includes punctuation. I’ve been ruthless about taming my em dashes, but make no mistake: they’re still essential. Used well, they save clarity, highlight key ideas, and let readers breathe amid the chaos of financial jargon. Here’s why I’ll always defend the em dash… even as I ration it like chili flakes. 🌶️